BREAKING: Amauri Hardy, 6-2 PG and 2017 ESPN 4*, confirms Hogs OFFERED today

[The_Iceman]

I should've said ballhandler.  CJ Jones isn't a guard that is going to drive to create for someone else.  He isnt a pg, or a combo guard more of a wing guard.

Hardy will make Jones a better player. CJ doesn't need much room to get his shot off, being 6'5" with a great vertical and high release. As a shooter it is always easier to shoot when you are catching the ball coming from the inside, rather than around the outside, because you are catching the ball already squared up.

[navyhog24]

I understand, but Garland has not run an offense himself either. He'll be learning to do that here. '18 will be his first, but I bet Desi Sills and Hardy, if we get him, will be the primary ball handlers for the 18-19 season.

[chiti66]

This is the PG we need! 

[Pinto]

I'm just not sure Beard brings enough value in that role. He needs to focus on driving with the intent to distribute. He finishes well on the break, but in the half court setting it is another story.

If I was Beard, I would focus this off-season on 3 things:
1) continuing to improve on finishing on the break
2) driving to distribute in the half court
3) getting his 3pt% close to 40%

I would much rather have Beard spotting up than trying to distribute since he has a bad case of tunnel vision. He's not athletic enough to finish consistently on the break like we all want him to do...although I would much rather see him become more unselfish in transition. Let me not get started on him. This thread is about Hardy lol

[King Kong]

We need a guard on that second unit who's going to take the ball away from Beard lol. Just let Beard spot up and hit the three ball

I wouldn't be surprised to see Beard starting. Either way I suspect we will see a lot of that Beard, Barford and Macon lineup that got a lot of run in the middle of the year.

[Pinto]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Beard starting. Either way I suspect we will see a lot of that Beard, Barford and Macon lineup that got a lot of run in the middle of the year.

Beard is a starter as of now. I think Hall will prove that he can start at the 3 and be the true SF we haven't had in a couple of years

[Hawg Red]

Beard is a starter as of now.

We don't know if this is true.

[hawginbigd1]

We don't know if this is true.

I'd put a couple Benjamins on it but technically we don't know.

[mbgrulz]

Beard is a starter as of now. I think Hall will prove that he can start at the 3 and be the true SF we haven't had in a couple of years

Agree.

[Hawg Red]

I'd put a couple Benjamins on it but technically we don't know.

Better hope you didn't get them from Beard himself.

Our roster is not finalized. Don't know how anyone can look in anyone at this point. If they're still here, Macon and Barford at the only two I'm comfortable declaring starters.

[The_Iceman]

Better hope you didn't get them from Beard himself.

Our roster is not finalized. Don't know how anyone can look in anyone at this point. If they're still here, Macon and Barford at the only two I'm comfortable declaring starters.

He may start Trey because he is a Senior, but Gafford will get the most minutes between the two.

[chiti66]

He may start Trey because he is a Senior, but Gafford will get the most minutes between the two.

I hope that CMA starts them both.  Would much rather have a front line of Trey and Gafford.  Truth be told, if we land Hardy this weekend, we'll be super close to having the idea Mike Anderson team.  We'll have plenty of options next year.

WPS!

[Hog Pharm]

I hope that CMA starts them both.  Would much rather have a front line of Trey and Gafford.  Truth be told, if we land Hardy this weekend, we'll be super close to having the idea Mike Anderson team.  We'll have plenty of options next year.

WPS!

They play the same position so they both won't start.  Can't have them both getting into foul trouble.

[Pinto]

Better hope you didn't get them from Beard himself.

Our roster is not finalized. Don't know how anyone can look in anyone at this point. If they're still here, Macon and Barford at the only two I'm comfortable declaring starters.

I said as of today. I'm well aware of the fact that the roster isn't finalized.

[chiti66]

They play the same position so they both won't start.  Can't have them both getting into foul trouble.

Actually not really.  Trey is more of a PF, who can play the 5.  But I understand what you are saying.  We were much better this year when we played Moses and Trey together, so with the pieces we have coming back we can do a whole lot more. 

WPS!

[Pinto]

I hope that CMA starts them both.  Would much rather have a front line of Trey and Gafford.  Truth be told, if we land Hardy this weekend, we'll be super close to having the idea Mike Anderson team.  We'll have plenty of options next year.

WPS!

I would like that lineup as well but unfortunate we don't have a backup center or a 4 who can rebound very well

[The_Bionic_Pig]

Cook & Thomas "were" not offensive threats...at all.  They can rebound especially Thomas (not at a elite level)

If a 6'8 + Hazen can get comfortable within the offense he can be lethal all the way out to 21'.   

When your 4 is a 3pt threat that opens up a lot of possibilities. 

Bailey is the best 1 on 1 defensive 4.  His weakness is dribbling & perimeter shooting which he said in a recent interview he's working hard on.

If JUCO history repeats itself Cook should make the biggest leap in year 2 away from JUCO.

No matter what happens Day-Day is coming to steal minutes away from the current roster. A 6'7 athlete who can handle the ball as comfortably as any guard doesn't come along too often.

[Letsroll1200]

Beard is a starter as of now. I think Hall will prove that he can start at the 3 and be the true SF we haven't had in a couple of years

I think Hall starts from day one.

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Has this kid not committed yet?

[forrest city joe]

Has this kid not committed yet?

Nope he is not committed.and he may not.hope he does,but not counting on it.

[Scott7703]

We sure he hasn't committed?

[HogCzar1]

Nope he is not committed.and he may not.hope he does,but not counting on it.

It's going to be interesting to see just who our top priority is of these kids. I'm sure that if someone leaves it will change, but of the one known opening just who is our top pick?

[Scott7703]

It's going to be interesting to see just who our top priority is of these kids. I'm sure that if someone leaves it will change, but of the one known opening just who is our top pick?

Arkansas will take all 3 with offers if they can get them. Hardy, the kid from out west, and the Memphis transfer.

[Swinesong1]

Arkansas will take all 3 with offers if they can get them. Hardy, the kid from out west, and the Memphis transfer.

That would require kicking two current players off the team. 

[Scott7703]

That would require kicking two current players off the team. 

Barford
Beard
Thomas
Thompson
Cook
Jones
Hazen
Bailey
And the 3 signees

Am I missing someone? And I still won't be surprised if one more leaves.

[Van Boarisson]

He will commit tomorrow.

[Swinesong1]

Barford
Beard
Thomas
Thompson
Cook
Jones
Hazen
Bailey
And the 3 signees

Am I missing someone? And I still won't be surprised if one more leaves.

Macon.  That makes 9 returnees plus 3 signees and you're saying three more? 

[Scott7703]

Macon.  That makes 9 returnees plus 3 signees and you're saying three more? 

Macon is gone and I expect one other could leave.

[forrest city joe]

He will commit tomorrow.

Says who.hope you are right because it would be a big time get.but what makes you think that?

[Scott7703]

Says who.hope you are right because it would be a big time get.but what makes you think that?

There are rumors circulating that he's already committed to coaches and will go public tomorrow.

[King Kong]

There are rumors circulating that he's already committed to coaches and will go public tomorrow.

Sweet

[Swinesong1]

There are rumors circulating that he's already committed to coaches and will go public tomorrow.

Richard quoted him as saying he was taking more visits. 

[ShadowHawg]

As long as Beard is playing on the Arkansas Basketball team we just aren't that good.

You are a frontrunner. Bashing Beard because it's popular.

5th in scoring, 3rd in 3pt % of anybody shooting more than 30 for the season at 36% compared to Macon at 39%, nearly a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.

Beard actually started our run against Carolina and played well in that game. He's a 2nd unit guy. What are you expecting, Kyrie?

[King Kong]

Richard quoted him as saying he was taking more visits.

Not sweet

[Scott7703]

Richard quoted him as saying he was taking more visits. 

Not stating it as gospel but just telling you what is being said.

[Letsroll1200]

No news is bad news for the hogs.

[forrest city joe]

No news is bad news for the hogs.

Agreed.but you never know in recruiting.things can change fast.if we don't get him,we move on to others.Mike knows what he is doing.he will get us a good player or two.

[niels_boar]

You are a frontrunner. Bashing Beard because it's popular.

5th in scoring, 3rd in 3pt % of anybody shooting more than 30 for the season at 36% compared to Macon at 39%, nearly a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.

Beard actually started our run against Carolina and played well in that game. He's a 2nd unit guy. What are you expecting, Kyrie?

The negativity on Beard is hyperbole.  Had we made it to the SS, as we should have, he would have been second in line behind Macon as one of the heroes of the UNC game. Beard played his worst basketball at the end of the season, except for the UNC game, which left a bad impression.  If you interchanged his December and January with his February and March, fans would be expecting a productive senior campaign.  He tailed off his freshman season as well after a dynamite January that helped turn that team around after a slow SEC start.  Can Beard put together a full season as a senior? There will be wins next year in which he will be a major factor.  Of that I'm certain.

[ShadowHawg]

The negativity on Beard is hyperbole.  Had we made it to the SS, as we should have, he would have been second in line behind Macon as one of the heroes of the UNC game. Beard played his worst basketball at the end of the season, except for the UNC game, which left a bad impression.  If you interchanged his December and January with his February and March, fans would be expecting a productive senior campaign.  He tailed off his freshman season as well after a dynamite January that helped turn that team around after a slow SEC start.  Can Beard put together a full season as a senior? There will be wins next year in which he will be a major factor.  Of that I'm certain.

Totally agree.

[Pinto]

You are a frontrunner. Bashing Beard because it's popular.

5th in scoring, 3rd in 3pt % of anybody shooting more than 30 for the season at 36% compared to Macon at 39%, nearly a 2 to 1 assist to turnover ratio.

Beard actually started our run against Carolina and played well in that game. He's a 2nd unit guy. What are you expecting, Kyrie?

The most annoying things Beard does on the court will not show in the box score. He's definitely been an underachiever. Hopefully he will have a solid senior year...

[reddawg213]

Macon is gone and I expect one other could leave.

The only one I expect to leave is Glasper and he doesn't have a scholarship. I talked to his aunt a few days ago and there are some offers from low-tier schools that he's quietly been deciding on as well as staying with the Hogs.

Everyone else, I think it is a coin flip.

[Hawg Red]

Macon is gone

You sure about that?

It's being rumored both ways. I'd say, at best, it's up in the air right now. There are signs he could return. I wouldn't be taking a hard position at this time.

[jry04]

You sure about that?

It's being rumored both ways. I'd say, at best, it's up in the air right now. There are signs he could return. I wouldn't be taking a hard position at this time.

I saw on twitter that he was telling people he isn't gone, just "getting feedback/testing the waters." That may have been posted in one of the other Macon threads, though. I agree, seems to be a toss up.

[Scott7703]

You sure about that?

It's being rumored both ways. I'd say, at best, it's up in the air right now. There are signs he could return. I wouldn't be taking a hard position at this time.

Not sure at all but from what I've heard as of yesterday that's what it appears will happen. I personally want him to stay.

[ShadowHawg]

The most annoying things Beard does on the court will not show in the box score. He's definitely been an underachiever. Hopefully he will have a solid senior year...

Whatever.

So you were expecting greatness from a 3 star recruit?  Sounds like you are a frontrunner too.

[ADavisTheGOAT]

Clearly those rumors were BS

[Hogimus Prime]

Whats the word on Hardy?

[rzrbackramsfan]

[tweet]853766509092638720[/tweet]

[HOGINTENNESSEE]

Hardy is now following Garland, Macon, Portis and the Arkansas SID on Twitter

[Kevin McPherson]

https://twitter.com/ARHoopScoop/status/853795279161655296